East County News Service

August 8, 2018 (Boulevard) – Boulevard residents are invited to the Backcountry Resource Center (the old Boulevard Fire Station) on August 20^th at 7 p.m. to give your input on the new Backcountry Resource Center.  Come share your ideas on what you’d like to see, how you’d like to participate, and your dreams for the community.

See flyer for details.

East County News Service

August 8, 2018 (El Cajon) — A witness helped save an El Cajon Police officer today after a man attacked the officer with a hammer.

Police had been called to a Jack-in-the-Box regarding Robert Dille, 30, who was reportedly smashing windows and threatening people with a hammer. Officers found Dille a few blocks away at West Main Street and Van Houten around 11:20 a.m.

Earn an A+ in sustainability this school year with tips from Waste Management

Source:  Waste Management

August 7, 2018 (San Diego) - As millions prepare to head back to school, Waste Management of Southern California is offering parents, students and educators practical tips to make this school year more sustainable by reducing, reusing and recycling right, in and out of the classroom.

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) -- NBA superstar, Hall of Famer, sportscaster and hometown hero Bill Walton has announced he will be at East County Magazine’s 10-year-anniversary party, “East County Fest” on August 25^th at Mission Trails Regional Park visitor center.

Walton was named to the NBA list of 50 best players of all time in 1997 among many other top honors -- and he started his winning sports right here in East County, leading Helix High School in La Mesa to CIF championships before going on to a legendary career in college and professional sports.

He has also generously agreed to donate autographed sports memorabilia from his personal collection for our fundraising auction. The value of these one-of-a-kind items? Priceless!

By Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – A highlight of our upcoming East County Fest on August 25^th from 6-10 p.m. at Mission Trails Regional Park (advance tickets required) will be prominent artist Chuck McPherson, who will create a painting live to be auctioned off at the event. 

Self-described as “flamboyant and a stand out creative,” this talented local artist and teacher has won international recognition and received hundreds of awards in juried art shows. Cherished by collectors, recent works by McPherson have sold for thousands of dollars.

His works have been displayed around the world, including locally at the Ola Wieghorst Museum and Western Heritage Center, San Diego History Center, California Center for the Arts  and Marston House Museum. Internationally, he holds three Signature Memberships with The San Diego Watercolor Society, National Watercolor Society and Western Federation of Watercolor Societies; A Signature in watercolor is like a PhD in medicine.

East County News Service

August 6, 2018 (Alpine) – The Alpine Historical Society and Alpine Woman’s Club invite you to a potluck luncheon on Sunday, August 19 at 2156 Alpine Blvd. in Alpine. The lunch and general meeting starts at 1 p.m. with program at 2 p.m. featuring anthropologist/author Michael Wilken-Robertson, who will speak on the interdependence between native peoples and native plants in Southern California and Baja.

See attached flyer for information on reservations and details.

The Trump administration is taking action, but in precisely the wrong direction.

By Mel Gurtov, published by Common Dreams

The sky above Soda Bay, Calif. is seen on July 30, 2018 as the River Fire burns. (Photo:  Bob Schoenherr/flickr/cc)

August 5, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- By now we’re accustomed to learning that every year brings record high temperatures around the world. Extreme weather, says Prof. Michael Mann of Pennsylvania State University, “is the face of climate change. We literally would not have seen these extremes in the absence of climate change. The impacts of climate change are no longer subtle. We are seeing them play out in real time and what is happening this summer is a perfect example of that. We are seeing our predictions come true. As a scientist that is reassuring, but as a citizen of planet Earth, it is very distressing to see that as it means we have not taken the necessary action.”

By Miriam Raftery

August 5, 2018 (Lakeside) – Deb Carney Carlson is an administrator for the Brush Fire Partyline, donating her time to post fire alerts to keep others safe. Now her daughter, Tara, is fighting for her life – and needs help from the public.

East County News Service

August 5, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) – Ammar Campa-Najjar has picked up a high-level endorsement for his bid to unseat Congressman Duncan D. Hunter in the hotly contested 50^th Congressional district race. Former President Barack Obama this week announced his endorsement of 81 candidates, including Campa-Najjar, boosting the local contender into the national spotlight.

By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna

August 5, 2018 (San Diego) -- When I was younger I hated all the back-to-school commercials. They were a dreaded reminder that summer was over and pretty soon, I'd be back inside a hot, stuffy classroom, mourning my lost freedom.

East County News Service

August 4, 2018 (San Diego) -- Head outside after hours for a series of fun programs the whole family will enjoy in San Diego county parks. On top of  Summer Movies in the Park series, here's a list of star parties, night hikes and evening entertainment taking in parks this month. Inclement weather may cancel; contact the parks by clicking on the links below:

East County News Service

August 4, 2018 (San Diego) -- The Settlement Agreement for issues and costs related to the closure of the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station (SONGS) is final after San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Edison (SCE) and other parties notified the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) that they accept the CPUC’s request to remove a provision that would have funded university-conducted greenhouse gas research. 

By Miriam Raftery 

August 4, 2018 (San Diego’s East County) - Excessively hot weather is likely for next week with the hottest conditions Monday and Tuesday. The climate outlook includes the likelihood for above normal temperatures continuing through the middle of August. Elevated fire weather risk will also continue to be a concern, the National Weather Service reports.

By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office

August 3, 2018 (San Diego's East County) - Coyotes always seem to be getting a bad rap. They’re usually villains in the movies and cartoons, and when they pop up in the news, it’s never good.

But recent coyote sightings are often due to things that we, as residents of the surrounding communities, are doing to attract them into our neighborhoods – like leaving dog food and cat food outside.

By Miriam Raftery

August 2, 2018 (San Diego's East County) -- This week’s Destination East County includes a kayak tour at Lake Morena, a jazz concert at Mission Trails, Hall in Oates and Train in concert at SDSU, the Julian Natural Wonderfest, the HeART of Mt. Helix, and the Price is Right game show at Sycuan.

Plus, we’ll have a preview of coming attractions including our own East County Fest at Mission Trails, celebrating the 10^th anniversary of East County Magazine, as well as the Barona Powwow, Sycuan Powwow, Ramona Grape Stomp and the Julian Grape Stomp Festa,

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!